When cities grow, they become denser, higher and more extensive. People and activities come closer to one another. But not all. This may have good or bad results. In the sprawling city, journeys are long and there is great segregation. Sound urban development demands new knowledge. And the knowledge that is already available must be converted into action. Urban research is a prioritised subject for Formas.
More than ninety urban reserchers from twelve countries are taking part in the massive investment made within the EU network Urban-net. Many Swedish researchers are involved. The theme is urban research with a broad perspective on sustainability and the relationships between different sectors. The perspective in Swedish urban research is now being broadened – and at the same time, conditions for funding are improved. Urban development offers unique opportunities to implement technical and social innovations at a large scale, and these have a noticeable effect on environmental loads and peoples' quality of life.
Compactness and parks are the future of the city. At present, we do not have the means to manage the often segregated suburbs which were built for the Welfare State. Those who live in dispersed areas will not be able to remain living there because of rising energy and fuel costs. The massive urban growth which the planet is facing demands both scientific and political engagement regarding the compact city and the high density suburbs.
As a result of climate changes, we will have hotter cities that give rise to negative health effects. Heatwaves will become more frequent. According to the World Health Organisation WHO, the future climate changes will have a great impact on human health and wellbeing. During future hot summers, the climate will cause the pattern of tourist movements to change direction, so that more and more European tourists will want to
come to the north. This will have an impact on the economy, environment and social development in European cities, but we do not know what form this will take. Urban tourism in Europe has increased over the past decades, and tourism as a whole is today one of the largest sectors in the economy.
Large central installations that supply cities with energy, or smaller self supporting districts that can produce renewable energy? This is the question when cities must reduce their climate impact and use of fossil fuels. Researchers are now studying the energy and material fluxes of society, with the aim of minimising the negative environmental impacts. Contiguous building development or contiguous green spaces are the alternatives under discussion when plans are drawn up to make Stockholm the most attractive metropolitan region in Europe. Green commons for which residents have a joint responsibility are another solution. Shopping centres and shopping streets have an increasing role in people' everyday lives. It is commerce that governs the city's rhythm. But how will children be considered in urban planning? Children prefer to play near their homes. Children also want to have access to the whole city and be part of the community, just like adults. The physical environment is the day-to-day living environment of children – their perceptions and experiences of the community.
What practitioners want is judicious densification and better contact between research and practitioners, right from the beginning. At least, this is the answer that Sustainability received from a project leader, a politician and an architect who are involved in issues to do with urban development.